Defense Secretary Robert Gates recognizes the toll of stop-loss, and he said the department will phase it out over the next two years. That's welcome news for the 13,000 soldiers currently affected and for thousands of others who feared the policy's effects.

Secretary Gates said the stop-loss policy "is just not the right thing to do" and that it was "breaking faith" with military personnel and their families.

The policy has not only hurt military morale. Pentagon officials also said it likely deterred many prospects from enlisting in the first place and pushed some reserve and National Guard soldiers to leave the Army because of extended tours. Officials also hope the move will help lower a high rate of suicide and divorce among military personnel.

The change will require the military to do better meeting recruitment goals. If troop shortages become an issue, the Pentagon must be prepared to offer better incentives for potential recruits to enlist and for currently enlisted soldiers to remain.

Holding soldiers against their will after they have completed their service has not honored the sacrifices they and their families make -- and it's good to see the department is finally recognizing it.